St.Jacques held a Loire wines dinner last Tuesday. We had a Carousel Brut sparkling wine with an amuse bouche. I may have had this before but this is the first time I've ordered a bottle of it. Will be picking up two bottles at a very good price (I don't have the receipt with me but I think around $20 or less.) It was minerally and crisp and perfect for light fare in summer weather. I may take one bottle to an offline in DC area in May.

With a seafood etouffee in pastry (half French, half New Orleans) with scallops, shrimp and lumpcrab in a lightly spiced tomato seafood cream sauce, we had a glass of 2008 Saumur, Reserve Des Vignerons. This is a dry Chenin Blanc that is often on the St. Jacques wine list. Very pleasant and another great summer drink. I ordered one bottle for later pickup.

The next course was a cold terrine with smoked river trout on poached potato and bacon-wilted spinach with an off-dry Chenin Blanc--the 2007 G. Saget Vouvray. I didn't enjoy it as much as the Saumur.

A palate refresher of home-made apple and thyme sorbet followed.

The main course was roasted pork tenderloin wrapped in hickory smoked bacon and cut into round medallions served with caramelized onions and potato ravioli in a sage brown butter sauce and with slivered almonds. The glass of wine was a 2008 Raffault Chinon "Les Galuches." This Chinon was certainly tastier than the grocery store one I tried last week. A pretty deep-crimson color, fruity and attractive with medium-dark cherries on nose and palate. Nice match with the pork.

Dessert was a roasted pear clafouti with light syrup and almond whipped cream. The dessert wine was a 2005 Domaine de Ponderoux Vin de Maury, a fortified red wine similar perhaps to Banyuls.

Great meal and conversations. Dinner was $65.00 plus tax and gratuities.